Appendix 15 - Laboratory rules - Sealed sources
- Always USE the MINIMUM ACTIVITY SOURCE required for the experiment.
- SOURCES EMITTING PENETRATING RADIATIONS SHOULD NEVER BE MANIPULATED DIRECTLY BY HAND.
- To CONTAIN PENETRATING RADIATIONS use appropriate SHIELDING to keep DOSE RATES BELOW 2.5µSvh-l whenever reasonably practicable.
- WEAR YOUR PERSONAL DOSIMETER AND FINGER DOSIMETERS if these have been issued to you.
- Any SOURCE NOT PERMANENTLY MOUNTED should be KEPT in properly LABELLED CONTAINERS and in an APPROVED LOCKED STORE when not in use.
- All SOURCES should he ENGRAVED or otherwise permanently marked with a UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION CODE. If permanently mounted in a source holder, this should bear the identification mark along with details of the isotope, activity and a radiation trefoil, if this is reasonably practicable.
- If a SOURCE is PERMANENTLY MOUNTED in a piece of equipment, it should NOT BE READILY REMOVABLE and the EQUIPMENT should have a suitable WARNING LABEL.
- DO A FULL MONITORING SURVEY of the LABORATORY when directed by your DRPS. The results of these surveys should be recorded for future reference.
- KEEP ACCURATE RECORDS OF ALL RECEIPTS AND CURRENT STOCK. It is an offence under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 not to have these UP-TO-DATE AT ALL TIMES.
- LOCATION OF SOURCES should be CHECKED on at least a MONTHLY basis.
- In the event of any ACCIDENT or INCIDENT involving radioactive materials INFORM your D.R.P.S. or the URPA or if these are not available the University Safety Adviser IMMEDIATELY.
Further information can be found in the local rules, and help and guidance is always available from the Radiation Protection Service.